Thursday’s campaign round-up

THURSDAY’S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP…. Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers.

* With former half-term Gov. Sarah Palin (R) targeting several key House districts represented by Democrats — targeting, by the way, with actual crosshairs — the Dems are starting to raise money off of Palin’s efforts. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D-Fla.), for example, emailed supporters: “Help Send Sarah Palin a Message.”

* The Republican Senate primary in Arizona is getting increasingly contentious. Former Rep. J.D. Hayworth is claiming that Sen. John McCain is weak and inconsistent on immigration policy. A McCain spokesperson described Hayworth’s criticism as “disgraceful” and “despicable.”

* There are a lot of candidates running for governor in both parties in Alabama this year, but the latest survey from Public Policy Polling shows Republicans leading in every possible match-up.

* Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) is running for re-election this year, but has signaled his intention to retire at the end of his second term.

* In an odd twist, Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-W.Va.), a moderate Dem, is facing a primary challenger from the right. That’s not usually how Democratic primaries work, which is why it’ll probably be unsuccessful.

* In the wake of Rep. Tim Holden’s (D-Pa.) decision to vote with Republicans against health care reform, the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO will withhold its support for Holden in his primary campaign.

* And in Massachusetts, Sen. Scott Brown (R) continues to suggest Rachel Maddow might run against him, despite all the reality to the contrary. This week, Rachel delivered a helpful reminder to the strange senator on the air: “Senator Brown, you need to stop lying.”